Sister act I goes to Sparks

July 13, 2014

Updated Aug. 19, 2014 5:02 a.m.

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The Connecticut Sun's Chiney Ogwumike, left, is guarded by her sister, the Sparks' Nneka Ogwumike, right, during the first half of a WNBA basketball game between the two teams Sunday at Uncasville, Conn. The two were squaring off for the first time as pros. JESSICA HILL , THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

The Connecticut Sun's Chiney Ogwumike, left, is guarded by her sister, the Sparks' Nneka Ogwumike, right, during the first half of a WNBA basketball game between the two teams Sunday at Uncasville, Conn. The two were squaring off for the first time as pros. JESSICA HILL , THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

UNCASVILLE, Conn. – Nneka Ogwumike has early bragging rights over her sister Chiney after the first meeting between them on the basketball court turned into a rout.

She scored 24 points and the Sparks used a big third quarter to blow open a close game, and beat the Connecticut Sun, 90-64, on Sunday.

The sisters, who were both No.1 picks in the WNBA draft, exchanged a pregame hug and were constantly guarding each other. They said though, that once the game started it was just about basketball.

“I think there were more emotions before tiopff when I realized ‘oh I’m actually going to play against Chiney’,” Nneka Ogwumike said. “It really wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. We’re both aggressive and competitive and I thought it was a good matchup.”

Nearly 30 members of the Ogwumikes’ family were in attendance, including their mom, dad and a younger sister.

“I came out really focused. Maybe it’s because of the occasion,” said Chiney Ogwumike, who had 18 points to lead the Sun. “Maybe I need to envision everybody I’m going against is my sister from here on out and keep that focus.

“I wish we could have competed a little bit better.”

The two teams will play again in Los Angeles on Aug.3.

There have only been a handful of sister matchups, according to the WNBA.

The Sparks led by four points early in the second half when Nneka Ogwumike made two free throws, followed by a running jumper.

Alana Beard, Ogwumike and Jantel Lavender each added a jumper to give the Sparks their first double-digit lead at 54-42.

“All along I felt like if we played harder, we wouldn’t have been in so many of those close games,” Sparks’ coach Carol Ross said. “We need to be able to finish out no matter what the score is.

“Today I was very pleased with our intensity coming out of the locker room at the half. I thought our third quarter is where we really imposed our will and played strong.”

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